Aston Martin - Repair and Service Redwood City - Aston Martin reportedly plans V-8-powered rival to 296 GTB, Artura supercars - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

  

Remember Aston Martin's mid-engine Vanquish supercar unveiled at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show? Well, it's still coming, albeit with a new name and a V-8 in place of the show car's V-6.

Citing comments made by Aston Martin Chairman Lawrence Stroll, Autocar reported on Monday that the supercar will be revealed in its revised form in the second half of 2023, or one year before deliveries of the Valhalla hypercar start. Deliveries of the supercar will start in 2025, Aston Martin CEO told Motor Authority in February.

Both mid-engine models will have a similar powertrain, specifically a V-8 in a plug-in hybrid configuration. The V-8 will be the familiar 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged engine found in a number of Mercedes-Benz AMG cars. Previously, both the Valhalla and the supercar were to use an Aston Martin-developed V-6, but plans for that engine were dropped following a management reshuffle in 2020.

Aston Martin Vanquish Vision Concept

 While the Valhalla is expected to have around 1,000 hp, expect the supercar to offer somewhere in the vicinity of 800 hp. Potential rivals like the V-6-equipped Ferrari 296 GTB and McLaren Artura offer up 818 hp and 671 hp, respectively.

Interestingly, Autocar also reported that the supercar will be the basis for a track car and driver development program similar to Ferrari's XX program, which has spawned cars like the 599XX and more recent FXX K. There will even be a one-make race series to rival series like the Ferrari Challenge.

Despite the arrival of these new mid-engine models, Aston Martin has no plans to abandon its front-engine sports cars. The Vantage, DB11 and DBS will all receive successors, possibly with electric power only. However, before the electric transformation happens, Aston Martin will introduce updated versions of its sports cars. They will start appearing later in 2022 and will feature refreshed interiors with the latest user interface technology. The first electric Aston Martin, which will be a sports car, will arrive in 2025.

 source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1122157_aston-martin-reportedly-plans-v-8-powered-rival-to-296-gtb-artura-supercars

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com

Mercedes - Repair and Service Redwood City - 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet spy shots: AMG tests entry-level convertible - Bosch European (650) 368-3000

  

 

 

Sedan sales may be on the decline but the situation is even worse when it comes to convertibles. As a result most automakers have either scaled back the number of convertibles they offer or dropped the body style altogether.

Mercedes-Benz has had one of the most diverse lineups of convertibles in recent years but it too is in the process of streamlining its open-top offerings. We've already seen the SLK-Class, S-Class Cabriolet and AMG GT Roadster all dropped, with a new AMG SL launched to fill the void.

Next we're expecting convertible versions of the C-Class and E-Class to be phased out and replaced with a single model dubbed the CLE-Class Cabriolet. We've already spotted a prototype for the regular CLE-Class Cabriolet and now we have a prototype for what's likely to be a CLE 53 grade from AMG.

We should see both variants arrive on the market next year, as 2023 or 2024 models.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet spy shots - Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

 Elements that point to this particular prototype being an AMG include the large wheel and brake combo, the large air openings up front, and the dual-tip exhaust out back. Should a CLE 63 grade be launched, we'd expect to see quad-exhaust tips at the rear.

It isn't clear what's happening in the powertrain department but a good bet is the same setup introduced in the recently revealed SL 43. The setup consists of a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 that generates 381 hp on its own, plus a mild-hybrid system that's able to deliver a temporary 14-hp boost. The engine also features an electrified turbocharger similar to what's used in Formula One. An electric motor is used to spin the turbo's compressor at low revs, helping to eliminate lag and giving a performance band more like that of a bigger naturally aspirated engine.

As for the roof, Mercedes looks to be going with a soft-top design, just like on the new SL. However, the roof is heavily camouflaged on the prototype so we can't see the true shape.

Stay tuned for updates as development continues.

 source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1135604_2024-mercedes-benz-amg-cle-53-cabriolet-spy-shots

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com